Written Statement - First meeting of European advisory group.

Last updated 28 September 2016

Carwyn Jones, First Minister

During the summer, and again in my oral statement of 13 September, I committed to establishing a European Advisory Group to provide advice to the Welsh Government on the challenges and potential opportunities Wales faces arising from the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. It will also consider how Wales can best secure a continued positive relationship with Europe.

The Advisory Group, which is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, met for the first time this morning and brought together a range of individuals with expertise in European issues including Members of the European Parliament, business leaders and representatives from universities, colleges, trade unions, agriculture, public services and the third sector. Areas covered at the first meeting included developments since the referendum both within Wales and at a UK level, as well as a range of key issues and cross-cutting themes including: the single market; migration; social, environmental and economic protections; legislative, financial and constitutional implications; and Wales’ position in Europe.

The Advisory Group has a wealth of expertise and experience. The issues raised by the UK’s departure from the European Union go far beyond the interests of any particular party or Government. No single individual or party has a monopoly on good ideas, and we look forward to further benefitting from this group’s advice.

Discussions within the European Advisory Group are in confidence but updates on its work will be provided as part of the Welsh Government’s regular reporting to the National Assembly of progress on work related to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

European Advisory Group members:Councillor Phil Bale Leader of City of Cardiff CouncilKevin Crofton President, SPTS Technologies LtdProfessor Richard B. Davies Vice-Chancellor, Swansea UniversityJill Evans MEP Member of the European ParliamentNathan Gill MEP Member of the European ParliamentDavid Jones OBE Principal and Chief Executive, Coleg CambriaSir Emyr Jones Parry President, Aberystwyth University Dr Hywel Ceri Jones Former EU Funding AmbassadorTom Jones OBE European Economic and Social CommitteeLord Kinnock Former Vice-President of the European CommissionMartin Mansfield General Secretary, Wales TUCRuth Marks MBE Chief Executive, Wales Council for Voluntary ActionBaroness Eluned Morgan AM Former Member of the European ParliamentWilliam Powell Chair of the Cross Party Group on Europe in the Fourth AssemblyProfessor Colin Riordan President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff UniversityKevin Roberts Chair of the Agriculture Partnership BoardDr Kay Swinburne MEP Member of the European ParliamentDerek Vaughan MEP Member of the European ParliamentEmma Watkins Director, CBI Wales